Torquay go in search of a Cup shock live on TV
Johnson hoping his Gulls can keep the entertainment going for television audience
TORQUAY United manager Gary Johnson says he is thinking about getting a showbiz agent after the club’s recent run of live TV games.
The Gulls go to Derby County tonight in the first round of the FA Cup for a replay against the League One ‘giants’ they drew 2-2 with 10 days ago.
That game was chosen to be shown live on ITV1 and the replay has been picked up by the BBC so will be live on the box tonight.
And if Torquay cause an upset and beat Derby at the second attempt, the second round game at Newport County is another ITV choice. This all follows Torquay’s dramatic 4-4 home draw against Altrincham last month, which was shown live on BT Sport.
Johnson said: “We have almost become a soap opera the amount of times we have been on the TV - and are going to be on the TV. I will have to get myself an agent.”
He continued: “It’s always nice because the TV people who pick these games pick them for a reason. The previous TV appearances we have had have gone well - so I am sure they have seen we give their viewing public a decent game.”
ITV viewers the Sunday before last were certainly entertained - with Torquay, bottom of the National League at the time, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, with striker Will Goodwin scoring in the 95th minute to take the tie to Pride Park.
Since then, in the league, Torquay have drawn 3-3 against Dorking Wanderers and lost 5-1 to Chesterfield. Both games were at home.
The defeat by Chesterfield on Saturday was a disappointing result, for sure, but in front of a possible crowd of 20,000-plus at Pride Park, any tired legs in the Torquay squad may just be forgotten, after what felt like a jaded 75 minutes, and a good 15.
Expect an unchanged side for a third consecutive game - albeit with the caveat that Dean Moxey could well be fit enough to come back.
And with nine substitute seats to fill in this competition, striker Corie Andrews will be ready to come on if needed after making a late cameo from the bench against Chesterfield. He is not quite match fit after his knee operation, but he may be worth a punt late on if needed.
While Torquay were being beaten by Chesterfield on Saturday, Derby were at Milton Keynes Dons winning 3-1 - with the man that terrorised the Gulls down the right side of midfield at Plainmoor, Nathaniel MendezLaing, scoring one of their goals. It was Mendez-Laing who was sacrificed when Derby went down to 10 men in the first game - with Asa Hall scoring from the penalty spot to set up the game for its dramatic equaliser.
Mendez-Laing will be the one to be wary off, but so will experienced striker David McGoldrick, who missed the first match but played against Liverpool in the EFL Cup last Wednesday - a goalless game that
Derby lost on a penalty shoot-out. The 34-year-old was a late sub against MK Dons on Saturday.
The bookies have Torquay as rank outsiders of course, but the history of the FA Cup is full of giant-killings, and other oddities. and there will be no small amount of Gulls fans inside the ground, making themselves heard, and being the 12th man that Johnson likes them to be.
“I am looking forward to the game, that’s for sure,” said Johnson. “I have been to Pride Park a few times and the atmosphere is always fantastic. So that will pick both groups of players up.
“You need that little bit of luck along the way, Lady Luck needs to be with us, and we have to put in a performance, so that’s what we are going there to do.
“We don’t want to be parking the bus, unless they make us, so we have got to do a little bit ourselves. I know all the boys are really looking forward to it.”
The game kicks off at 7.45pm and is on BBC3 and the BBC iPlayer.